DISCUSSION -- December 2014 75 Word Writing Challenge

[holland]

Voting's going to start today, isn't it?

Nope.

"Contest ends at 11:59 pm GMT, December 23 2014"

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

I keep thinking it is on the 21st...

 

[Michael F]

Sorry - could someone explain what this thread is about?
The first post says 'good luck'. With what?

Sorry

 

[Abernovo]

Sorry - could someone explain what this thread is about?
The first post says 'good luck'. With what?

Sorry

It's okay. Don't apologise. It's a discussion thread for this month's 75 Word Challenge. For the challenge, see here.
There are story challenges every month.

Welcome to the Chrons, Michael.

 

[Michael F]

It's okay. Don't apologise. It's a discussion thread for this month's 75 Word Challenge. For the challenge, see here.
There are story challenges every month.

Welcome to the Chrons, Michael.

Thank you

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

So we have a couple of days left and it could be a better than average month if a few more people get inspired (although some of our usual almost-late-to-the-party posters have, inexplicably, already entered their stories).

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, you know, TE, the holiday season and all, this close to Christmas...

 

[chrispenycate]

And if I fail to vote - not that I have any intention of so failing, understand, having a perfect record until now - it'll be because I'm immersed in great-nephews/greatniece in 'the bosom of my family'.

 

[Starbeast]

I didn't know the Krampus had made it to the US. This is hilarious.
Thanks Starbeast.

You're welcome Sancho. Yeah, that was a good one. But the old legend is pretty freaky, yet very interesting. I think someone is (or has) made a movie based on the beast.

Love this bit in the credits:

"Based on the Austrian legend of the Krampus. I know, we thought they had Koalas over there, but whatever."

And wow, a regime of summary capital punishment for naughtiness -- Saint Nick is pretty hardline. Frees up the juvenile court system though.

That's for sure, HareBrian. This weird folklore creature was something I've never heard of before. However, I do like to discover old legends.

sigh! Crampus! why must there be a "dark" side? Santa Claus himself is a poor substitute for the true Christmas story. I've always had the "naughty and nice" thing as a real thorn about the Santa Claus myth. I mean, why does Santa always prefer rich children? Now this? Please more grace, more goodness, more love. Life is scarey enough as it is.

It blew me away when I first learned the Krampus legend (very recently). And I do agree Parson, the real meaning of Christmas is being lost in commercialism and merchandising. As an adult, Santa is nothing more than a cartoon to me.

A Hardboiled Festive Season Noir
(part eight)
​

David Evil Overlord - The writer of this noir galore, goes right for the chestnuts and stuns us with a nutcracker of a science fiction drama. I enjoyed the idea of mechanical characters in a pulp-styled setting. An awesome android offering.

DG Jones - Firstly, nice to meet you. And second, you created an excellent blend of a moment in history, about one of the most spiritual beings who ever graced our planet, with darkened tones of a modern era. Well done sir.

Perpetual Man - You dazzle the reader with witty play-on-words that made me smile and chuckle at the last line. It's nice to read another pleasent entry and still resonates strongly the theme and genre of this month. Good stuff.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

That's the mark of a good life, Chris. Being surrounded by your loved ones like that.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the comment SB, as always greatly appreciated

 

[Starbeast]

You're very welcome Perpetual Man.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Thanks, Starbeast.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Just a few more hours left ...

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

And then the votes come in. And next month will be 300 as well.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Culhwch -- This gritty police procedural offers a darkly ironic bit of wordplay.

Boneman -- The author creates a richly imagined alternate reality in order to spring a trick on the reader.

WinterLight -- A finely delineated viewpoint character offers the reader insight into the events of this gentle tale.

Ursa major -- The author has fun playing with genre expectations in this merry story.

 

[Ursa major]

Thanks for the mini-review, Victoria.


Less than half-an-hour to go for anyone wanting to post an entry!

 

[Ursa major]

The Challenge is now closed, and voting is open at the link below:

POLL -- DECEMBER 2014 75 Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Short List:

Ashleyne. B. Watts
Remedy
Teresa Edgerton
SciFine
Anne Martin
A. Fare Wells
The Bravest Newbie
Sancho
BigJ
WinterLight

My vote had to go to Cat's Cradle for the heartrending story "A Present for Joey."

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks, Starbeast.

You're festively welcome David Evil Overlord.

A Hardboiled Festive Season Noir
(part nine)​

Culhwch - Santa gets the "third degree" treatment in this holiday noir. And there is another woman involved in the toy maker's life, which lead to murder! AHHHH!. But there is a star at the top of this tangled tree drama, the writer makes merry with the final line.

Boneman - Great atmosphere sets the story, and we over the river and through the woods on a train ride that finishes with a comedic ending, which is like a surprise snow ball strike to the face. Heh heh. I read the ending twice with cheer.

WinterLight - This tale seems grim as it begins, but then I suddenly realized I was reading a modern version of the blessed event that happened a couple of thousand years ago. Beautiful, and written in a pleasent way. God bless us, everyone.

Ursa Major - Ha, ha, happy holidays! (cough cough) Pardon me. That go badly as an arrangement of soon-to-be newlyweds goes south and upends in this well stuffed tale, which is filled with pudding and puns. Well done sir, like the chicken.